Fluorescent fusion polypeptide, encoding nucleic acid, and cell comprising said polypeptide

ABSTRACT

The present invention refers to a fluorescent fusion polypeptide capable of changing its localization within the cell from the cell cytoplasmic membrane to the retention vesicles, upon an increase in the concentration of second messengers within the cell cytoplasm, comprising a membrane localization peptide, a second messenger transduction protein binding peptide, a reticulum retention signal and a fluorescent peptide wherein: a. the membrane localization peptide is located at the N-terminus of the fluorescent fusion polypeptide and is physically bound, optionally through a linker, to the fluorescent peptide, which in turn is physically bound, optionally through a linker, to the second messenger transduction protein binding peptide; and b. the second messenger transduction protein binding peptide is physically bound, optionally through a linker, to the reticulum retention signal, which in turn is located at the C-terminus of the fluorescent fusion polypeptide.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser.No. 14/412,513, filed on Jan. 2, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,784,728,issued on Oct. 10, 2017; which is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 national stagefiling of International Application No. PCT/EP2013/064400, filed on Jul.8, 2013; which claims priority to European Patent Application No.12382272.8, filed on Jul. 6, 2012. The entire contents of each of theforegoing applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the biotechnological field,particularly to a fluorescent fusion polypeptide, a biosensor comprisingsaid polypeptide and uses thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following discussion of the background of the invention is merelyprovided to aid the reader in understanding the invention, and is notadmitted to describe or constitute prior art to the present invention.

High-content screening (HCS) in cell-based systems uses living cells astools in biological research to elucidate the workings of normal anddiseased cells. HCS is also used to discover and optimizes new drugcandidates.

High content screening is a combination of modern cell biology, with allits molecular tools, with automated high resolution microscopy androbotic handling. Cells are first exposed to chemicals or RNAi reagents.Changes in cell morphology are then detected using image analysis.Changes in the amounts of proteins synthesized by cells are measuredusing a variety of techniques such as the green fluorescent proteinsfused to endogenous proteins, or by fluorescent antibodies.

At a cellular level, parallel acquisition of data on different cellproperties, for example activity of signal transduction cascades andcytoskeleton integrity is the main advantage of this method incomparison to the faster but less detailed high throughput screening.While HCS is slower, the wealth of acquired data allows a more profoundunderstanding of drug effects. In this sense, one of the goals of HCS inthe acquisition of data in connection to the activity of signaltransduction cascades is to determine the effect of different drugs inthe signalling processes through the measurement of intracellular secondmessenger levels.

Second messengers are molecules that relay signals from receptors on thecell surface to target molecules inside the cell, in the cytoplasm ornucleus. They relay the signals of hormones like epinephrine(adrenaline), growth factors, and others, and cause some kind of changein the activity of the cell. They greatly amplify the strength of thesignal. Secondary messengers are a component of signal transductioncascades. Among these second messengers, the cAMP and calcium providethe paradigm for the second messenger concept and are appreciated asubiquitous and critical intracellular molecules that regulate many keyprocesses in the cell.

Ideally, said measurement requires tools of precise localization, highdynamic range and as little disturbance of cell physiology as possiblethat in turn are capable of monitoring the levels of second messengersin vivo by using a high content screening method.

For this, various fluorescent biosensors based on dynamically changingthe fluorescent properties have been generated. In this sense, thesetypes of biosensors are often based on a change in Fluorescent ResonanceEnergy Transfer (FRET). FRET is the process by which energy from anexcited donor fluorophore is transferred to an acceptor fluorophorethrough radiationless dipole-dipole coupling. The efficiency of thisenergy transfer is highly dependent on the distance between (e.g. <10 nmfor CFP/YFP) and the relative orientation of donor and acceptorfluorophore. However, FRET-based biosensors in the context of highcontent screening methods requires of a detection equipment of at leastfour filters, two for the excitation and two for the emission. Inaddition, due to the low intensity of the detection signal, thedetection signal range and the screening sensibility are low. Lastly,the use of more than one fluorescence emission signal requires the useof more algorithms in order to correctly analyse the final signal.

Thus, there is still a need to develop improved methods or products forreal time measurement of second messenger concentration within thedynamic environment of the living cell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention refers to a fluorescent fusionpolypeptide capable of changing its localization within the cell fromthe cell cytoplasmic membrane to the retention vesicles, upon anincrease in the concentration of second messengers within the cellcytoplasm, comprising a membrane localization peptide, a secondmessenger transduction protein binding peptide, a reticulum retentionsignal and a fluorescent peptide wherein:

-   -   a. the membrane localization peptide is located at the        N-terminus of the fluorescent fusion polypeptide and is        physically bound, optionally through a linker, to the        fluorescent peptide, which in turn is physically bound,        optionally through a linker, to the second messenger        transduction protein binding peptide; and    -   b. the second messenger transduction protein binding peptide is        physically bound, optionally through a linker, to the reticulum        retention signal, which in turn is located at the C-terminus of        the fluorescent fusion polypeptide.

In another preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention,the membrane localization peptide is the extracellular domain ofinterleukin-2 receptor of SEQ ID No 17 or a variant which is at least90% homologous to this sequence over the entire region based on aminoacid identity and the reticulum retention signal is a peptide selectedfrom the following list consisting of KDEL, HDEL, KKXX, KXKXX and RXR,wherein X is any aminoacid and wherein preferably said reticulumretention signal is KDEL.

In a more preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention,said second messenger transduction protein binding peptide is a cAMPtransduction protein binding peptide, a calcium transduction proteinbinding peptide, an IP3 transduction protein binding peptide, a cGMPtransduction protein binding peptide or a diacylglycerol transductionprotein binding peptide. Thus in a further preferred embodiment of theinvention, the fluorescent fusion polypeptide of the first aspect of theinvention is capable of changing its localization within the cell fromthe cell cytoplasmic membrane to the retention vesicles, upon anincrease in the concentration of a second messenger selected from thelist consisting of calcium, cAMP, IP3, cGMP or diacyglycerol.

A second aspect of the invention refers to a fluorescent fusionpolypeptide capable of changing its localization within the cell fromthe cell cytoplasmic membrane to the retention vesicles, upon anincrease in the concentration of intracellular calcium, comprising amembrane localization peptide, a second messenger transduction proteinbinding peptide comprising a calmodulin binding sequence, a reticulumretention signal and a fluorescent peptide wherein:

-   -   a. the membrane localization peptide is located at the        N-terminus of the fluorescent fusion polypeptide and is        physically bound, optionally through a linker, to the        fluorescent peptide, which in turn is physically bound,        optionally through a linker, to the second messenger        transduction protein binding peptide comprising the calmodulin        binding sequence; and    -   b. the second messenger transduction protein binding peptide is        physically bound, optionally through a linker, to the reticulum        retention signal, which in turn is located at the C-terminus of        the fluorescent fusion polypeptide.

In a preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, thecalmodulin binding sequence is selected from the list consisting of SEQID No 1 (MEKRRWKKNFIAVSAANRFKKISSSGAL), SEQ ID No 2(ASPWKSARLMVHTVATFNSI), SEQ ID No 3 (AIGFKKLAEAVKFSAKLMGQ), SEQ ID No 4(KKTFKEVANAVKISASLMGT), SEQ ID No 5 (GAVLKVLTTGLPALISWIKR), SEQ ID No 6(RGGFRRIARLVGVLREWAYR), SEQ ID No 7 (GGRLALLRARLKELAALEAA) and SEQ ID No8 (AEGVRNIKSMWEKGNVFSSP) or a variant which is at least 90% homologousto any of these sequences over the entire region based on amino acididentity.

In a further preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention,the reticulum retention signal is a peptide selected from the followinglist consisting of KDEL, HDEL, KKXX, KXKXX and RXR, wherein X is anyaminoacid and wherein preferably said reticulum retention signal is KDELand/or the membrane localization peptide is the extracellular domain ofinterleukin-2 of SEQ ID No 17 or a variant which is at least 90%homologous to any of these sequences over the entire region based onamino acid identity.

In another preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the inventionthe fluorescent peptide is selected from the group consisting of GFP,YFP, turboGFP, tRFP and tRFP602.

In a still further preferred embodiment of the second aspect of theinvention:

-   -   a. the calmodulin binding sequence is selected from the list        consisting of SEQ ID No 1 (MEKRRWKKNFIAVSAANRFKKISSSGAL), SEQ ID        No 2 (ASPWKSARLMVHTVATFNSI), SEQ ID No 3 (AIGFKKLAEAVKFSAKLMGQ),        SEQ ID No 4 (KKTFKEVANAVKISASLMGT), SEQ ID No 5        (GAVLKVLTTGLPALISWIKR), SEQ ID No 6 (RGGFRRIARLVGVLREWAYR), SEQ        ID No 7 (GGRLALLRARLKELAALEAA) and SEQ ID No 8        (AEGVRNIKSMWEKGNVFSSP) or a variant which is at least 90%        homologous to any of these sequences over the entire region        based on amino acid identity;    -   b. the membrane localization peptide is the extracellular domain        of interleukin-2 receptor of SEQ ID No 17 or a variant which is        at least 90% homologous to this sequence over the entire region        based on amino acid identity; and    -   c. the reticulum retention signal is a peptide selected from the        following list consisting of KDEL, HDEL, KKXX, KXKXX and RXR,        wherein X is any aminoacid and wherein preferably said reticulum        retention signal is KDEL.

In a still other preferred embodiment of the invention, the calciumfluorescent fusion polypeptide comprises or preferably consists of SEQID No 15.

A third aspect of the invention refers to a fluorescent fusionpolypeptide capable of changing its localization within the cell fromthe cell cytoplasmic membrane to the retention vesicles, upon anincrease in the concentration of intracellular cAMP, comprising amembrane localization peptide, a second messenger transduction proteinbinding peptide comprising a binding sequence to the RI and RIIregulatory domains of PKA, a reticulum retention signal and afluorescent peptide wherein:

-   -   a. the membrane localization peptide is located at the        N-terminus of the fluorescent fusion polypeptide and is        physically bound, optionally through a linker, to the        fluorescent peptide, which in turn is physically bound,        optionally through a linker, to the second messenger        transduction protein binding peptide; and    -   b. the second messenger transduction protein binding peptide is        physically bound, optionally through a linker, to the reticulum        retention signal, which in turn is located at the C-terminus of        the fluorescent fusion polypeptide.

In a preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the invention, thebinding sequence to the RI and RII regulatory domains of PKA is selectedfrom the list consisting of SEQ ID No 9 (DLIEEAASRIVDAVIEQVKAAGAY), SEQID no 10 (VQGNTDEAQEELAWKIAKMIVSDVMQQ), SEQ ID No 11(VQGNTDEAQEELLWKIAKMIVSDVMQQ), SEQ ID No 12 (FEELAWKIAKMIWSDVFQQ), SEQID No 13 (QIEYLAKQIVDNAIQQAK) and SEQ ID No 14 (LEQYANQLADQIIKEATE) or avariant which is at least 90% homologous to any of these sequences overthe entire region based on amino acid identity.

In a further preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the invention,the reticulum retention signal is a peptide selected from the followinglist consisting of KDEL, HDEL, KKXX, KXKXX and RXR, wherein X is anyaminoacid and wherein preferably said reticulum retention signal is KDELand/or the membrane localization peptide is the extracellular domain ofinterleukin-2 of SEQ ID No 17 or a variant which is at least 90%homologous to any of these sequences over the entire region based onamino acid identity.

In another preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the invention,the fluorescent peptide is selected from the group consisting of GFP,YFP, turboGFP, tRFP and tRFP602.

In a still further preferred embodiment of the third aspect of theinvention:

-   -   a. the binding sequence to the RI and RII regulatory domains of        PKA is selected from the list consisting of SEQ ID No 9        (DLIEEAASRIVDAVIEQVKAAGAY), SEQ ID no 10        (VQGNTDEAQEELAWKIAKMIVSDVMQQ), SEQ ID No 11        (VQGNTDEAQEELLWKIAKMIVSDVMQQ), SEQ ID No 12        (FEELAWKIAKMIWSDVFQQ), SEQ ID No 13 (QIEYLAKQIVDNAIQQAK) and SEQ        ID No 14 (LEQYANQLADQIIKEATE) or a variant which is at least 90%        homologous to any of these sequences over the entire region        based on amino acid identity;    -   b. the membrane localization peptide is the extracellular domain        of interleukin-2 receptor of SEQ ID No 17 or a variant which is        at least 90% homologous to this sequence over the entire region        based on amino acid identity; and    -   c. the reticulum retention signal is a peptide selected from the        following list consisting of KDEL, HDEL, KKXX, KXKXX and RXR,        wherein X is any aminoacid and wherein preferably the reticulum        retention signal is KDEL.

In still another preferred embodiment of the third aspect of theinvention, the fluorescent fusion polypeptide comprises or preferablyconsists of SEQ ID No 16.

A fourth aspect of the invention refers to a fluorescent fusionpolypeptide capable of changing its localization within the cell fromthe cell cytoplasmic membrane to the retention vesicles, upon anincrease in the concentration of intracellular diacylglycerol,comprising a membrane localization peptide, a second messengertransduction protein binding peptide comprising a binding sequence toPKCδ, a reticulum retention signal and a fluorescent peptide wherein:

-   -   a. the membrane localization peptide is located at the        N-terminus of the fluorescent fusion polypeptide and is        physically bound, optionally through a linker, to the        fluorescent peptide, which in turn is physically bound,        optionally through a linker, to the second messenger        transduction protein binding peptide; and    -   b. the second messenger transduction protein binding peptide is        physically bound, optionally through a linker, to the reticulum        retention signal, which in turn is located at the C-terminus of        the fluorescent fusion polypeptide.

In a preferred embodiment of the fourth aspect of the invention, thebinding sequence to PKCδ is SEQ ID No 19 (AARKRKGSFFYGG), or a variantwhich is at least 90% homologous to this sequence over the entire regionbased on amino acid identity.

In a further preferred embodiment of the fourth aspect of the invention,the reticulum retention signal is a peptide selected from the followinglist consisting of KDEL, HDEL, KKXX, KXKXX and RXR, wherein X is anyaminoacid and wherein preferably said reticulum retention signal is KDELand/or the membrane localization peptide is the extracellular domain ofinterleukin-2 of SEQ ID No 17 or a variant which is at least 90%homologous to this sequence over the entire region based on amino acididentity.

In another preferred embodiment of the fourth aspect of the invention,the fluorescent peptide is selected from the group consisting of GFP,YFP, turboGFP, tRFP and tRFP602.

In a still further preferred embodiment of the fourth aspect of theinvention:

-   -   a. the binding sequence to PKCδ is SEQ ID No 19 (AARKRKGSFFYGG),        or a variant which is at least 90% homologous to this sequence        over the entire region based on amino acid identity;    -   b. the membrane localization peptide is the extracellular domain        of interleukin-2 receptor of SEQ ID No 17 or a variant which is        at least 90% homologous to this sequence over the entire region        based on amino acid identity; and    -   c. the reticulum retention signal is a peptide selected from the        following list consisting of KDEL, HDEL, KKXX, KXKXX and RXR,        wherein X is any aminoacid and wherein preferably the reticulum        retention signal is KDEL.

In still another preferred embodiment of the fourth aspect of theinvention, the fluorescent fusion polypeptide comprises SEQ ID No 18.

A fifth aspect of the invention refers to a nucleic acid moleculecomprising a polynucleotide sequence coding for a polypeptide as definedin any of the previous aspects of the invention.

A sixth aspect of the invention refers to a biosensor comprising thefusion polypeptide as defined in the first, second, third and fourthaspects of the invention.

A seventh aspect of the invention refers to a cell comprising thefluorescent fusion polypeptide as defined in any of the first, second,third or fourth aspects of the invention or the biosensor as defined inthe sixth aspect of the invention, wherein preferably said cell is cellline U2O2.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to several uses forthe fluorescent fusion polypeptide as defined in any of the first,second, third or fourth aspects of the invention or of the biosensor asdefined in the sixth aspect of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate several embodiments and togetherwith the description illustrate the disclosed compositions and methods.

FIG. 1. Schematic representation of the fluorescent biosensor cellularlocalization model. Fluorescent biosensor changes its localizationwithin the cell from the cell cytoplasmic membrane to the vesicles, uponan increase in the concentration of second messengers within the cellcytoplasm.

FIG. 2. Second messenger determination using the fluorescent biosensor.Increase in the second messenger concentration promotes a redistributionof the fluorescent biosensor. The change in the cellular fluorescencewas calculated as an increment of the granularity of these cells. Thesesame results were obtained with three different clones of the above celllines as illustrated in this figure which provides proof of thereproducibility of these results corresponding to three clonescontaining the calcium biosensor (left graphic) or three clonescontaining the cAMP biosensor (right graphic).

FIG. 3. Cellular distribution of calcium biosensor stimulated cells.U2OS, stably expressing human Neurokinin receptor 1 and fluorescentcalcium biosensor, were stimulated with 10 uM of Substancia P agonistduring 6 hours. After the treatment, the fluorescent biosensor wasinternalized in vesicles in the citosol. Human Neurikinin receptor 1activity was determined measuring the generation of the vesicle usingimage analysis algorithms.

FIG. 4. Concentration response curve for Substancia P in Neurokinin 1receptor -calcium biosensor cell line. Cells were treated with 10 logdilution series (n=4). The Ec50 for the Subtancia P was ^(˜)9.5×10⁻¹² Mafter a treatment of 6 h with agonist. Cells were fixed and the nucleiwere stained with DAPI. % Activity was calculated relative to positive(10 uM). The internalization assay was validated with an average ofZ′=0.85+/−0.01 for High Content Screening.

FIG. 5. Cellular distribution of cAMP biosensor stimulated cells. U2OSstably expressing human Adrenergic beta 2 receptor and fluorescent cAMPbiosensor, were stimulated with 10 uM of Isoproterenol agonist during 36hours. After the treatment, the fluorescent biosensor was internalizedin vesicles in the citosol. Human Adrenergic beta 2 receptor activitywas determined measuring the generation of the vesicle using imageanalysis algorithms.

FIG. 6. Concentration response curve for Isoproterenol in Adrenergicbeta 2 -cAMP biosensor cell line. Cells were treated with 6 log dilutionseries (n=4). The Ec50 for the Isoproterenol was 2.3×10⁻⁷ M after atreatment of 36 h with agonist. Cells were fixed and the nuclei werestained with DAPI. % Activity was calculated relative to positive (10uM). The internalization assay was validated with an average ofZ′=0.7+/−0.01 for High Content Screening.

FIG. 7. Cellular distribution of DAG biosensor stimulated cells. U2OSstably expressing fluorescent DAG biosensor, were stimulated with 25ng/ml of PMA during 4 hours. After the treatment, the fluorescentbiosensor was internalized in vesicles in the citosol. DAG biosensoractivity was determined measuring the generation of the vesicle usingimage analysis algorithms.

FIG. 8. Concentration response curve for DAG biosensor cell line. Cellswere treated with 9 log dilution series (n=4). The Ec50 for theIsoproterenol was 2.89×10⁻⁴ ng/ml after a treatment of 4 h with DAG.Cells were fixed and the nuclei were stained with DAPI. % Activity wascalculated relative to positive (50 ng/ml). The internalization assaywas validated with an average of Z′=0.76+/−0.01 for High ContentScreening.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Unless expressly specified otherwise, the term “comprising” is used inthe context of the present document to indicate that further members mayoptionally be present in addition to the members of the list introducedby “comprising”. It is, however, contemplated as a specific embodimentof the present invention that the term “comprising” encompasses thepossibility of no further members being present, i.e. for the purpose ofthis embodiment “comprising” is to be understood as having the meaningof “consisting of”.

Definitions

In the context of the present invention, the term “fusion polypeptide”refers to a hybrid polypeptide comprising a combination of at least fourpeptides from different proteins that are combined into the samepolypeptide structure.

In the context of the present invention, the term “membrane localizationpeptide” is intended to mean a peptide whose natural intracellularlocalization is in the plasma membrane.

As used herein, the term “transduction protein binding peptide” isintended to mean a peptide that is able to bind a transduction proteinin a specific conformation. Therefore, this peptide is able to bind thetransduction protein only when this transduction protein is interactingwith a second messenger (cAMP, Ca2+, IP3, cGMP, diacylglycerol . . . ).

As used herein, the term “reticulum retention signal” is intended tomean a short peptide chain that directs the transport of the polypeptideto the endoplasmic reticulum and through the secretory pathwayconferring thereby a multivesicular localization.

As used herein, the term “fluorescent peptide” is intended to mean afluorescent peptide that has fluorescent capacities. Fluorescent peptidedomains are characterized by having a specific excitation spectrum andemission spectrum.

In the context of the present invention, the linker has at least oneamino acid residue, preferably at least two consecutive amino acidresidues.

As used herein, the term “biosensor” is intended to mean a moleculartool or entity that is sensitive to, and can respond to, a physical orchemical stimulus and transmit information about cellular status.

As used herein, the term “drug” is intended to mean a molecule thatpotentially acts as an agonist or antagonist or modulator of asignalling pathway.

As used herein “stable cell line” is intended to mean a cell line thathas been transfected or infected with a foreign piece of DNA that hasincorporated itself into the genome of the cell.

As used herein “calmodulin binding sequence” is intended to mean theamino acid sequence corresponding to the calmodulin binding domain ofthe skeletal muscle myosin light chain kinase. This sequence is includedin the basic 1-8-14 subclass of the 1-14 calmodulin binding motif. Theconsensus sequence of the basic 1-8-14 is(RK)(RK)(RK)(FILVW)xxxxxx(FAILVW)xxxxx(FILVW). These types of sequencescan easily be found in the Calmodulin Binding Database(http://calcium.uhnres.utoronto.ca/ctdb/ctdb/home.html).

As used herein “binding sequence to the RI and RII regulatory domains ofPKA” is intended to mean the conserved amino acid sequence that ispresent in A-kinase anchor protein family (AKAP) and whose principalfunction is binding to the regulatory domain (RI or RII) of proteinkinase A (PKA).

As used herein “HT31” is the peptide derived from human thyroid A-kinaseanchoring protein (AKAP) that can destroy the anchorage of A-kinase(after activation by cAMP signal) by competing with AKAPs. HT31 binds tothe two regulatory domains (RI and RII) of Protein Kinase A but itsaffinity for these domains is different: low for RI domain and high forRII domain.

As used herein “binding sequence to PKCdelta” is intended to mean theamino acid sequence corresponding to a synthetic soluble peptide whichbinds specifically to PKCdelta and no other PKCs. These types ofsequences can be easily found in PKCLab Database(http://www.pkclab.org/PKC/link/substrate_specificity.htm).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention confronts the problem of providing tools ofprecise localization, high dynamic range and as little disturbance ofcell physiology as possible that are capable of monitoring a variationin the intracellular concentration levels of second messengers in vivoby using High-content screening (HCS) in cell-based systems, whereinthese tools do not have the disadvantages of FRET-based biosensors.

In order to solve the above problem, the authors of the presentinvention designed a new fluorescent fusion polypeptide comprising amembrane localization peptide, a fluorescent peptide, a second messengertransduction protein binding peptide and a reticulum retention signal.This biosensor is formed by two peptides targeted to two differentcellular compartments, allowing the measurement of the second messengerconcentration by monitoring the distribution of the fluorescentpolypeptide within the cellular cytoplasm. In this sense, the biosensortranslocation within the cell shall be due to a change in its 3Dconformation that hides or exposes the location signals in both ends ofthe polypeptide triggered by the binding of the transduction protein tothe second messenger transduction protein binding peptide. In the basalstate, the biosensor is located in one of the compartments; this meansthat the location peptide directed to the other cellular compartment ishidden by the 3D conformation. When the concentration of the secondmessenger is increased due to a cellular stimulation, these secondmessengers bind to the transduction protein that becomes active. Theactive transduction protein is able to bind to the transduction proteinbinding peptide in the biosensor causing a conformational change. Atthis point the spatial distribution of the different structural elementsin the biosensor is modified and the location peptide directed to theother cellular compartment is exposed by the new 3D conformation so thatthe whole biosensor is transported to its new location at the newcellular compartment. All this process can be traced in living cells dueto the presence of the fluorescent protein in the biosensor. A schematicview of the process can be visualized in the schematic representationshown in FIG. 1.

However, the authors of the present invention realized that the order ofthe peptides within the above mentioned fluorescent fusion polypeptidecould not be placed arbitrarily within the polypeptide. This is the casesince after numerous experiments the authors concluded that only onecombination of elements provided the technical effect of transportingthe biosensor to the other cellular compartment, such combination was:

-   -   a. the membrane localization peptide must be located at the        N-terminus of the fluorescent fusion polypeptide and must be        physically bound, optionally through a linker, to the        fluorescent peptide, which in turn must be physically bound,        optionally through a linker, to the second messenger        transduction protein binding peptide; and    -   b. the second messenger transduction protein binding peptide        must be physically bound, optionally through a linker, to the        reticulum retention signal, which in turn must be located at the        C-terminus of the fluorescent fusion polypeptide.

The authors tested whether such biosensor having the above structurecould be employ for detecting and quantifying different types of secondmessengers. As illustrated in examples 1-3 disclosed herein, the authorsof the present invention constructed three different fluorescent fusionpolypeptides, all of them comprising the extracellular domain ofinterleukin-2 receptor of SEQ ID No 17 as the membrane localizationpeptide, the peptide KDEL as the reticulum retention signal and theturboGFP as the fluorescent peptide. Thus, the only difference betweenthese fluorescent fusion polypeptides lied on the type of secondmessenger transduction protein binding peptide used. In this sense, inthe case of the calcium biosensor of example 1 the authors used a secondmessenger transduction protein binding peptide comprising a calmodulinbinding domain, in the case of the cAMP biosensor of example 2 theauthors used a second messenger transduction protein binding peptidecomprising a protein kinase A (PKA) binding domain from A-kinase anchorprotein (AKAP) and in the case of the diacylglycerol biosensor ofexample 3 the authors used a second messenger transduction proteinbinding peptide comprising the binding domain of SEQ ID No 19.

Surprisingly, the results shown in the examples and drawings presentedherein by using the above fusion polypeptides of examples 1-3 indicatedthat an increased in the concentration of the second messenger induced aconformational change in the biosensor which promoted a redistributionof the fluorescent biosensor. The activity was calculated in all threecases as an increment of the granularity of the cells transfected withthe biosensors of the invention. The fluorescence redistribution of thebiosensor was detected by fluorescence using image analysis algorithms.Consequently, the variations in the second messenger concentrations canbe monitored through this “hiding and exposition” process of locationsignals and the final localization of the biosensor.

Thus, a first aspect of the present invention refers to a fluorescentfusion polypeptide capable of changing its localization within the cellfrom the cell cytoplasmic membrane to the retention vesicles, upon anincrease in the concentration of second messengers within the cellcytoplasm, comprising a membrane localization peptide, a secondmessenger transduction protein binding peptide, a reticulum retentionsignal and a fluorescent peptide wherein:

-   -   a. the membrane localization peptide is located at the        N-terminus of the fluorescent fusion polypeptide and is        physically bound, optionally through a linker, to the        fluorescent peptide, which in turn is physically bound,        optionally through a linker, to the second messenger        transduction protein binding peptide; and    -   b. the second messenger transduction protein binding peptide is        physically bound, optionally through a linker, to the reticulum        retention signal, which in turn is located at the C-terminus of        the fluorescent fusion polypeptide.

In another preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention,the membrane localization peptide is the extracellular domain ofinterleukin-2 receptor of SEQ ID No 17 or a variant which is at least90% homologous to this sequence over the entire region based on aminoacid identity and the reticulum retention signal is a peptide selectedfrom the following list consisting of KDEL, HDEL, KKXX, KXKXX and RXR,wherein X is any aminoacid and wherein preferably said reticulumretention signal is KDEL.

In a more preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention,said second messenger transduction protein binding peptide is a cAMPtransduction protein binding peptide, a calcium transduction proteinbinding peptide, an IP3 transduction protein binding peptide, a cGMPtransduction protein binding peptide or a diacylglycerol transductionprotein binding peptide. Thus in a further preferred embodiment of theinvention, the fluorescent fusion polypeptide of the first aspect of theinvention is capable of changing its localization within the cell fromthe cell cytoplasmic membrane to the retention vesicles, upon anincrease in the concentration of a second messenger selected from thelist consisting of calcium, cAMP, IP3, cGMP or diacyglycerol.

A second aspect of the invention refers to a fluorescent fusionpolypeptide capable of changing its localization within the cell fromthe cell cytoplasmic membrane to the retention vesicles, upon anincrease in the concentration of intracellular calcium, comprising amembrane localization peptide, a second messenger transduction proteinbinding peptide comprising a calmodulin binding sequence, a reticulumretention signal and a fluorescent peptide wherein:

-   -   a. the membrane localization peptide is located at the        N-terminus of the fluorescent fusion polypeptide and is        physically bound, optionally through a linker, to the        fluorescent peptide, which in turn is physically bound,        optionally through a linker, to the second messenger        transduction protein binding peptide comprising the calmodulin        binding sequence; and    -   b. the second messenger transduction protein binding peptide is        physically bound, optionally through a linker, to the reticulum        retention signal, which in turn is located at the C-terminus of        the fluorescent fusion polypeptide.

In a preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, thecalmodulin binding sequence is selected from the list consisting of SEQID No 1 (MEKRRWKKNFIAVSAANRFKKISSSGAL), SEQ ID No 2(ASPWKSARLMVHTVATFNSI), SEQ ID No 3 (AIGFKKLAEAVKFSAKLMGQ), SEQ ID No 4(KKTFKEVANAVKISASLMGT), SEQ ID No 5 (GAVLKVLTTGLPALISWIKR), SEQ ID No 6(RGGFRRIARLVGVLREWAYR), SEQ ID No 7 (GGRLALLRARLKELAALEAA) and SEQ ID No8 (AEGVRNIKSMWEKGNVFSSP) or a variant which is at least 90% homologousto any of these sequences over the entire region based on amino acididentity.

In a further preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention,the reticulum retention signal is a peptide selected from the followinglist consisting of KDEL, HDEL, KKXX, KXKXX and RXR, wherein X is anyaminoacid and wherein preferably said reticulum retention signal is KDELand/or the membrane localization peptide is the extracellular domain ofinterleukin-2 of SEQ ID No 17 or a variant which is at least 90%homologous to any of these sequences over the entire region based onamino acid identity.

In another preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the inventionthe fluorescent peptide is selected from the group consisting of GFP,YFP, turboGFP, tRFP and tRFP602.

In a still further preferred embodiment of the second aspect of theinvention:

-   -   a. the calmodulin binding sequence is selected from the list        consisting of SEQ ID No 1 (MEKRRWKKNFIAVSAANRFKKISSSGAL), SEQ ID        No 2 (ASPWKSARLMVHTVATFNSI), SEQ ID No 3 (AIGFKKLAEAVKFSAKLMGQ),        SEQ ID No 4 (KKTFKEVANAVKISASLMGT), SEQ ID No 5        (GAVLKVLTTGLPALISWIKR), SEQ ID No 6 (RGGFRRIARLVGVLREWAYR), SEQ        ID No 7 (GGRLALLRARLKELAALEAA) and SEQ ID No 8        (AEGVRNIKSMWEKGNVFSSP) or a variant which is at least 90%        homologous to any of these sequences over the entire region        based on amino acid identity;    -   b. the membrane localization peptide is the extracellular domain        of interleukin-2 receptor of SEQ ID No 17 or a variant which is        at least 90% homologous to this sequence over the entire region        based on amino acid identity; and    -   c. the reticulum retention signal is a peptide selected from the        following list consisting of KDEL, HDEL, KKXX, KXKXX and RXR,        wherein X is any aminoacid and wherein preferably said reticulum        retention signal is KDEL.

In a still other preferred embodiment of the invention, the fluorescentfusion polypeptide comprises or preferably consists of SEQ ID No 15.

A third aspect of the invention refers to a fluorescent fusionpolypeptide capable of changing its localization within the cell fromthe cell cytoplasmic membrane to the retention vesicles, upon anincrease in the concentration of intracellular cAMP, comprising amembrane localization peptide, a second messenger transduction proteinbinding peptide comprising a binding sequence to the RI and RIIregulatory domains of PKA, a reticulum retention signal and afluorescent peptide wherein:

-   -   a. the membrane localization peptide is located at the        N-terminus of the fluorescent fusion polypeptide and is        physically bound, optionally through a linker, to the        fluorescent peptide, which in turn is physically bound,        optionally through a linker, to the second messenger        transduction protein binding peptide; and    -   b. the second messenger transduction protein binding peptide is        physically bound, optionally through a linker, to the reticulum        retention signal, which in turn is located at the C-terminus of        the fluorescent fusion polypeptide.

In a preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the invention, thebinding sequence to the RI and RII regulatory domains of PKA is selectedfrom the list consisting of SEQ ID No 9 (DLIEEAASRIVDAVIEQVKAAGAY), SEQID no 10 (VQGNTDEAQEELAWKIAKMIVSDVMQQ), SEQ ID No 11(VQGNTDEAQEELLWKIAKMIVSDVMQQ), SEQ ID No 12 (FEELAWKIAKMIWSDVFQQ), SEQID No 13 (QIEYLAKQIVDNAIQQAK) and SEQ ID No 14 (LEQYANQLADQIIKEATE) or avariant which is at least 90% homologous to any of these sequences overthe entire region based on amino acid identity.

In a further preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the invention,the reticulum retention signal is a peptide selected from the followinglist consisting of KDEL, HDEL, KKXX, KXKXX and RXR, wherein X is anyaminoacid and wherein preferably said reticulum retention signal is KDELand/or the membrane localization peptide is the extracellular domain ofinterleukin-2 of SEQ ID No 17 or a variant which is at least 90%homologous to any of these sequences over the entire region based onamino acid identity.

In another preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the invention,the fluorescent peptide is selected from the group consisting of GFP,YFP, turboGFP, tRFP and tRFP602.

In a still further preferred embodiment of the third aspect of theinvention:

-   -   a. the binding sequence to the RI and RII regulatory domains of        PKA is selected from the list consisting of SEQ ID No 9        (DLIEEAASRIVDAVIEQVKAAGAY), SEQ ID no 10        (VQGNTDEAQEELAWKIAKMIVSDVMQQ), SEQ ID No 11        (VQGNTDEAQEELLWKIAKMIVSDVMQQ), SEQ ID No 12        (FEELAWKIAKMIWSDVFQQ), SEQ ID No 13 (QIEYLAKQIVDNAIQQAK) and SEQ        ID No 14 (LEQYANQLADQIIKEATE) or a variant which is at least 90%        homologous to any of these sequences over the entire region        based on amino acid identity;    -   b. the membrane localization peptide is the extracellular domain        of interleukin-2 receptor of SEQ ID No 17 or a variant which is        at least 90% homologous to this sequence over the entire region        based on amino acid identity; and    -   c. the reticulum retention signal is a peptide selected from the        following list consisting of KDEL, HDEL, KKXX, KXKXX and RXR,        wherein X is any aminoacid and wherein preferably the reticulum        retention signal is KDEL.

In still another preferred embodiment of the third aspect of theinvention, the fluorescent fusion polypeptide comprises or preferablyconsists of SEQ ID No 16.

A fourth aspect of the invention refers to a fluorescent fusionpolypeptide capable of changing its localization within the cell fromthe cell cytoplasmic membrane to the retention vesicles, upon anincrease in the concentration of intracellular diacylglycerol,comprising a membrane localization peptide, a second messengertransduction protein binding peptide comprising a binding sequence toPKCδ, a reticulum retention signal and a fluorescent peptide wherein:

-   -   a. the membrane localization peptide is located at the        N-terminus of the fluorescent fusion polypeptide and is        physically bound, optionally through a linker, to the        fluorescent peptide, which in turn is physically bound,        optionally through a linker, to the second messenger        transduction protein binding peptide; and    -   b. the second messenger transduction protein binding peptide is        physically bound, optionally through a linker, to the reticulum        retention signal, which in turn is located at the C-terminus of        the fluorescent fusion polypeptide.

In a preferred embodiment of the fourth aspect of the invention, thebinding sequence to PKCδ is SEQ ID No 19 (AARKRKGSFFYGG), or a variantwhich is at least 90% homologous to this sequence over the entire regionbased on amino acid identity.

In a further preferred embodiment of the fourth aspect of the invention,the reticulum retention signal is a peptide selected from the followinglist consisting of KDEL, HDEL, KKXX, KXKXX and RXR wherein x is anyaminoacid and wherein preferably said reticulum retention signal is KDELand/or the membrane localization peptide is the extracellular domain ofinterleukin-2 of SEQ ID No 17 or a variant which is at least 90%homologous to any of these sequences over the entire region based onamino acid identity.

In another preferred embodiment of the fourth aspect of the invention,the fluorescent peptide is selected from the group consisting of GFP,YFP, turboGFP, tRFP and tRFP602.

In a still further preferred embodiment of the fourth aspect of theinvention:

-   -   a. the binding sequence to PKCδ is SEQ ID No 19 (AARKRKGSFFYGG),        or a variant which is at least 90% homologous to this sequence        over the entire region based on amino acid identity;    -   b. the membrane localization peptide is the extracellular domain        of interleukin-2 receptor of SEQ ID No 17 or a variant which is        at least 90% homologous to this sequence over the entire region        based on amino acid identity; and    -   c. the reticulum retention signal is a peptide selected from the        following list consisting of KDEL, HDEL, KKXX, KXKXX and RXR,        wherein X is any aminoacid and wherein preferably the reticulum        retention signal is KDEL.

In still another preferred embodiment of the fourth aspect of theinvention, the fluorescent fusion polypeptide comprises SEQ ID No 18.

A fifth aspect of the invention refers to a nucleic acid moleculecomprising a polynucleotide sequence coding for a polypeptide as definedin any of the previous aspects of the invention.

A sixth aspect of the invention refers to a biosensor comprising thefusion polypeptide as defined in the first, second, third and fourthaspects of the invention.

A seventh aspect of the invention refers to a cell comprising thefluorescent fusion polypeptide as defined in any of the first, second,third or fourth aspects of the invention or the biosensor as defined inthe sixth aspect of the invention, wherein preferably said cell is cellline U2O2.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to several uses forthe fluorescent fusion polypeptide as defined in any of the first,second, third or fourth aspects of the invention or of the biosensor asdefined in the sixth aspect of the invention. A first use of thebiosensor according to the present invention is for detecting andquantifying second messengers including, but not limited thereto, cAMP,calcium, diacylglycerol, IP3 and cGMP. As already stated, binding of thesecond messenger to the fluorescent fusion polypeptide of any of theaspects of this invention results in a substantial change in the spatialconformation that leads to a change in the intracellular fluorescencelocalization. This fluorescence translocation can be harnessed forsecond messenger quantification by fluorescence microscopy. In addition,all this process can be traced in living cells due to the presence ofthe fluorescent protein in the biosensor.

The employment of the fluorescent fusion polypeptide as defined in anyof the first, second, third or fourth aspects of the invention or thebiosensor as defined in the sixth aspect of the invention furtherinvolves its use as a tool for drug screening.

In addition, the fluorescent fusion polypeptide as defined in any of thefirst, second, third or fourth aspects of the invention or the biosensoras defined in the sixth aspect of the invention is useful in thepractice of essentially any application for which readout of secondmessenger transduction is obtained. Such applications are well known inthe art. However, mere exemplary applications of the present inventioninclude but are not limited to:

-   -   a. Identifying test compounds that act as agonists, antagonists,        inverse agonists or natural ligands of cell surface receptor        selected from growth factors, cytokines, G-protein coupled        receptors, integrins and calcium ion channels by studying the        second messenger movement using fluorescence microscopy devices.        In a preferred embodiment, said cell surface receptor is a        G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR).    -   b. Expression cloning of peptide agonist, antagonist and inverse        agonist of receptors.    -   c. Expression cloning of modulators that change the second        messenger intracellular presence.    -   d. Establishing dose-response curves of membrane molecules        modulators.    -   e. Determining alterations in membrane molecules and modulators        involved in a disease or disorder which signalling cascade        depends on these second messengers and thereby the biosensor can        be used as a diagnostic tool.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fluorescent fusionpolypeptide as defined in any of the first, second, third or fourthaspects of the invention or the biosensor as defined in the sixth aspectof the invention can be used to generate stable cell lines which allowstudying G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR), ion channels, and theactivity of others proteins in living cells. The rapid translocation ofthe biosensor of the invention allows the quantification of GPCR and ionchannel stimulation.

The fluorescent fusion polypeptide and the corresponding biosensor ofthe present invention can be made by techniques well known by thoseskilled in the art but as a way of example, they can be constructed asfollows. The coding sequences corresponding to the membrane localizationpeptide, the fluorescent peptide, the protein transduction interactingpeptide and the reticulum localization signal can be easily amplified byPCR and cloned into a shuttle plasmid. These coding sequences can bethen easily cloned into the final fusion plasmid in the specific orderpresented herein using the restriction enzyme sites that flanked eachsequence.

The following examples merely serve to illustrate the present invention.

EXAMPLES Example 1. Construction and Use of a Calcium Biosensor forMeasurement of Calcium in Living Cells within a Broad Dynamic Range ofPhysiological Concentrations of this Second Messenger

The authors of the present invention constructed a fluorescent fusionpolypeptide comprising the extracellular domain of interleukin-2receptor of SEQ ID No 17 as the membrane localization peptide, thecalmodulin binding domain from muscle myosin light chain kinase of SEQID No 1 as the second messenger transduction protein binding peptide,the peptide KDEL as the reticulum retention signal and the turboGFP asthe fluorescent peptide wherein:

-   -   a. the membrane localization peptide was located at the        N-terminus of the fluorescent fusion polypeptide and was        physically bound, through a linker, to the fluorescent peptide,        which in turn was physically bound, through a linker, to the        second messenger transduction protein binding peptide; and    -   b. the second messenger transduction protein binding peptide was        physically bound, through a linker, to the reticulum retention        signal, which in turn is located at the C-terminus of the        fluorescent fusion polypeptide.

The complete fluorescent fusion polypeptide is illustrated in SEQ ID No15.

In order to assess whether this polypeptide induces intracellularfluorescence redistribution in living cells, the turboGFP polypeptidewas cloned as the fluorescent peptide and the cellular localization ofthe biosensor was analysed upon calcium induced activation. In thissense, cell lines HEK293 and U2O2 were stably transfected with theplasmid construction that contains the above mentioned biosensor's cDNA(please refer to SEQ ID No 15). After transfection, both cell linespresented a membrane distribution of the fluorescence. However, asubstantial decrease in membrane distribution of the biosensor wasobserved after increasing the intracellular levels of calcium with 10ng/ml of PMA and 1 uM of ionomycin. This result indicates that anincreased in the concentration of intracellular calcium induces aconformational change in the biosensor which promotes a redistributionof the fluorescent biosensor. The activity was calculated as anincrement of the granularity of these cells. These same results wereobtained with three different clones of the above cell lines asillustrated in FIG. 2 (left graphic) which provides proof of thereproducibility of these results.

Secondly, in order to determine whether calcium induces a significantconformational change within a physiological dynamic range, the U2O2biosensor stable cell line was stably transfected with the humanTachykinin receptor 1. The Tachykinin receptor 1 (TACR1) also known asNeurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) or substance P receptor (SPR) is a Gprotein coupled receptor found in the central nervous system andperipheral nervous system. The endogenous ligand for this receptor isSubstance P, although it has some affinity for other Tachykinins,Substance P is synthesized by neurons and transported to synapticvesicles; the release of Substance P is accomplished through thedepolarizing action of calcium-dependent mechanisms. When NK1 receptorsare stimulated, they can generate various second messengers, which cantrigger a wide range of effector mechanisms that regulate cellularexcitability and function. One of these mechanisms leads to themobilization of calcium from both intra- and extracellular sources.

The double stable cell line was seeded at 20,000 cells per well on 96-mmoptical plates, and cultured in 200 ul of DMEM F12 supplemented with 10%fetal bovine serum. For fluorescent biosensor redistribution, cells werestimulated with different concentrations of the agonist Substancia Pduring 6 hours. After treatment, the nucleus was stained with DAPI andbiosensor fluorescence redistribution was detected by fluorescence usingimage analysis algorithms. When cells were treated with the agonist, thebiosensor was internalized from plasmatic membrane in high intensityvesicles (FIG. 3). The activity was calculated as an increment of thegranularity of these cells. Cells were treated with 11 log dilutionseries (n=5). The Ec50 for the Substance P was ^(˜)9.5×10⁻¹² M after atreatment of 6 h with agonist. The redistribution assay was validatedwith an average of Z′=0.85+/−0.01 for High Content Screening (FIG. 4).

To check the biosensor sensibility in comparison with other methods, atypical fluorescent calcium assay was performed using Fura-2/AMratiometric. Calcium increase inside the cell was measured using theratio of the fluorescence from Fura2 bound and not bound to the ion.Cells were incubated with Fura2-AM and treated with increasing SubstanceP concentrations. Cells were treated with Substance P concentrationsranging from 0 to 10 μM by quadruplicate. The E_(C)50 for Substance Pwas ^(˜)1.4×10-8M. The calcium assay was validated with a Z′=0.84 forHigh Content Screening

In both quantification methods, the image acquisition was performedusing a “BD Pathway 855” High-Content Bioimager from BD Biosciences.

Example 2. Construction and Use of a cAMP Biosensor for Measurement ofcAMP in Living Cells within a Broad Dynamic Range of PhysiologicalConcentrations of this Second Messenger

The authors of the present invention constructed a fluorescent fusionpolypeptide comprising the extracellular domain of interleukin-2receptor of SEQ ID No 17 as the membrane localization peptide, theprotein kinase A (PKA) binding domain from A-kinase anchor protein(AKAP) of SEQ ID No 9 as the second messenger transduction proteinbinding peptide, the peptide KDEL as the reticulum retention signal andthe turboGFP as the fluorescent peptide wherein:

-   -   a. the membrane localization peptide was located at the        N-terminus of the fluorescent fusion polypeptide and was        physically bound, through a linker, to the fluorescent peptide,        which in turn was physically bound, through a linker, to the        second messenger transduction protein binding peptide; and    -   b. the second messenger transduction protein binding peptide was        physically bound, through a linker, to the reticulum retention        signal, which in turn is located at the C-terminus of the        fluorescent fusion polypeptide.

The complete fluorescent fusion polypeptide is illustrated in SEQ ID No16.

As with the biosensor of Example 1, in order to assess whether theactivation of the above mentioned polypeptide induces intracellularfluorescence redistribution in living cells, peptide turboGFP was clonedas the fluorescent peptide and the cellular localization of thebiosensor was analysed upon cAMP induced activation. In this sense, celllines SHSY5Y and U2O2 were stably transfected with the plasmidconstruction that contains the above mentioned biosensor's codingsequence. Both cell lines presented a membrane distribution of thefluorescence. As with Example 1, activity was calculated as an incrementof granularity by treating these cells with 10 uM of forskolin and 25 uMof IBMX in three different stable clones during 36 h (FIG. 2 Rightgraphic).

To determine whether cAMP induces a significant conformational changewithin a physiological dynamic range, the U2O2 biosensor stable cellline was stably transfected with the human adrenergic beta 2 receptor.The adrenergic receptors are a class of G protein-coupled receptors thatare targets of the catecholamines, especially noradrenaline(norepinephrine) and adrenaline (epinephrine). The double stable cellline was seeded at 20.000 cell per well on 96-mm optical plates, andcultured in 200 ul of DMEM F12 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum.For fluorescent biosensor redistribution, the cells were stimulated withdifferent concentrations of Isoproterenol agonist during 36 hours (FIG.5). After treatment, the nucleus was stained with DAPI and biosensorfluorescence redistribution was detected by fluorescence using imageanalysis algorithms. When cells were treated with the agonist, thebiosensor was internalized from plasmatic membrane in high intensityvesicles. The activity was calculated as an increment of granularitythese cells. Cells were treated with 11 log dilution series (n=5). TheEc50 for the Isoproterenol was ^(˜)2.3×10-7M after a treatment of 24 hwith agonist. The redistribution assay was validated with an average ofZ′=0.7+/−0.01 for High Content Screening. The results are shown in FIG.6.

Example 3. Construction and Use of a Diacylglycerol Biosensor forMeasurement of Diacylglycerol in Living Cells within a Broad DynamicRange of Physiological Concentrations of this Second Messenger

The authors of the present invention constructed a fluorescent fusionpolypeptide comprising the extracellular domain of interleukin-2receptor of SEQ ID No 17 as the membrane localization peptide, thebinding sequence of SEQ ID No 19 as the second messenger transductionprotein binding peptide, the peptide KDEL as the reticulum retentionsignal and the turboGFP as the fluorescent peptide wherein:

-   -   a. the membrane localization peptide was located at the        N-terminus of the fluorescent fusion polypeptide and was        physically bound, through a linker, to the fluorescent peptide,        which in turn was physically bound, through a linker, to the        second messenger transduction protein binding peptide; and    -   b. the second messenger transduction protein binding peptide was        physically bound, through a linker, to the reticulum retention        signal, which in turn was located at the C-terminus of the        fluorescent fusion polypeptide.

The complete fluorescent fusion polypeptide is illustrated in SEQ ID No18.

As with the previous examples, in order to assess whether the activationof the above mentioned polypeptide induces intracellular fluorescenceredistribution in living cells, peptide turboGFP was cloned as thefluorescent peptide and the cellular localization of the biosensor wasanalysed upon diacylglycerol induced activation. In this sense, U2O2cell line was stably transfected with the plasmid construction thatcontains the above mentioned biosensor's coding sequence. This stablytransfected cell line presented a membrane distribution of thefluorescence before inducing the activation of intracellulardiacylglycerol. As with the previous examples, activity was calculatedas an increment of granularity by treating these cells with increasingdosages of PMA. The results are shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.

SEQUENCE LISTING SEQ ID No 1: MEKRRWKKNFIAVSAANRFKKISSSGALSEQ ID No 2: ASPWKSARLMVHTVATFNSI SEQ ID No 3: AIGFKKLAEAVKFSAKLMGQSEQ ID No 4: KKTFKEVANAVKISASLMGT SEQ ID No 5: GAVLKVLTTGLPALISWIKRSEQ ID No 6: RGGFRRIARLVGVLREWAYR SEQ ID No 7: GGRLALLRARLKELAALEAASEQ ID No 8: AEGVRNIKSMWEKGNVFSSP SEQ ID No 9: DLIEEAASRIVDAVIEQVKAAGAYSEQ ID no 10: VQGNTDEAQEELAWKIAKMIVSDVMQQSEQ ID No 11: VQGNTDEAQEELLWKIAKMIVSDVMQQSEQ ID No 12: FEELAWKIAKMIWSDVFQQ SEQ ID No 13: QIEYLAKQIVDNAIQQAKSEQ ID No 14: LEQYANQLADQIIKEATE SEQ ID No 15:MDSYLLMWGLLTFIMVPGCQAELCDDDPPEIPHATFKAMAYKEGTMLNCECKRGFRRIKSGSLYMLCTGNSSHSSWDNQCQCTSSATRNTTKQVTPQPEEQKERKTTEMQSPMQPVDQASLPGHCREPPPWENEATERIYHFVVGQMVYYQCVQGYRALHRGPAESVCKMTHGKTRWTQPQLICTGEMETSQFPGEEKPQASPEGRPESETSCLVTTTDFQIQTEMAATMETSIFTTDLQVAVAGCVFLLISVLLLSGLTWQRRQRKSGRTIGIQLVVDQQQQQQGILQSTVPMESDESGLPAMEIECRITGTLNGVEFELVGGGEGTPEQGRMTNKMKSTKGALTFSPYLLSHVMGYGFYHFGTYPSGYENPFLHAINNGGYTNTRIEKYEDGGVLHVSFSYRYEAGRVIGDFKVMGTGFPEDSVIFTDKIIRSNATVEHLHPMGDNDLDGSFTRTFSLRDGGYYSSVVDSHMHFKSAIHPSILQNGGPMFAFRRVEEDHSNTELGIVEYQHAFKTPDADAGEERSREMEKRRWKKNFIAVSAANRFKKISSSGALKDEL SEQ ID No 16:MDSYLLMWGLLTFIMVPGCQAELCDDDPPEIPHATFKAMAYKEGTMLNCECKRGFRRIKSGSLYMLCTGNSSHSSWDNQCQCTSSATRNTTKQVTPQPEEQKERKTTEMQSPMQPVDQASLPGHCREPPPWENEATERIYHFVVGQMVYYQCVQGYRALHRGPAESVCKMTHGKTRWTQPQLICTGEMETSQFPGEEKPQASPEGRPESETSCLVTTTDFQIQTEMAATMETSIFTTDLQVAVAGCVFLLISVLLLSGLTWQRRQRKSGRTIGIQLVVDQQQQQQGILQSTVPMESDESGLPAMEIECRITGTLNGVEFELVGGGEGTPEQGRMTNKMKSTKGALTFSPYLLSHVMGYGFYHFGTYPSGYENPFLHAINNGGYTNTRIEKYEDGGVLHVSFSYRYEAGRVIGDFKVMGTGFPEDSVIFTDKIIRSNATVEHLHPMGDNDLDGSFTRTFSLRDGGYYSSVVDSHMHFKSAIHPSILQNGGPMFAFRRVEEDHSNTELGIVEYQHAFKTPDADAGEERSRVDLIEEAASRIVDAVIEQVKAAGAYGGKDEL SEQ ID No 17:MDSYLLMWGLLTFIMVPGCQAELCDDDPPEIPHATFKAMAYKEGTMLNCECKRGFRRIKSGSLYMLCTGNSSHSSWDNQCQCTSSATRNTTKQVTPQPEEQKERKTTEMQSPMQPVDQASLPGHCREPPPWENEATERIYHFVVGQMVYYQCVQGYRALHRGPAESVCKMTHGKTRWTQPQLICTGEMETSQFPGEEKPQASPEGRPESETSCLVTTTDFQIQTEMAATMETSIFTTDLQVAVAGCVFLLISVLLLSGLTWQRRQRKSGRTI SEQ ID No 18:MDSYLLMWGLLTFIMVPGCQAELCDDDPPEIPHATFKAMAYKEGTMLNCECKRGFRRIKSGSLYMLCTGNSSHSSWDNQCQCTSSATRNTTKQVTPQPEEQKERKTTEMQSPMQPVDQASLPGHCREPPPWENEATERIYHFVVGQMVYYQCVQGYRALHRGPAESVCKMTHGKTRWTQPQLICTGEMETSQFPGEEKPQASPEGRPESETSCLVTTTDFQIQTEMAATMETSIFTTDLQVAVAGCVFLLISVLLLSGLTWQRRQRKSGRTIGIQLVVDQQQQQQGILQSTVPMESDESGLPAMEIECRITGTLNGVEFELVGGGEGTPEQGRMTNKMKSTKGALTFSPYLLSHVMGYGFYHFGTYPSGYENPFLHAINNGGYTNTRIEKYEDGGVLHVSFSYRYEAGRVIGDFKVMGTGFPEDSVIFTDKIIRSNATVEHLHPMGDNDLDGSFTRTFSLRDGGYYSSVVDSHMHFKSAIHPSILQNGGPMFAFRRVEEDHSNTELGIVEYQHAFKTPDADAGEERSRVAARKRKGSFFYGGKDELSEQ ID No 19: AARKRKGSFFYGG SEQ ID No 20:MSKGEELFTGVVPILVELDGDVNGHKFSVSGEGEGDATYGKLTLKFICTTGKLPVPWPTLVTTFSYGVQCFSRYPDHMKQHDFFKSAMPEGYVQERTIFFKDDGNYKTRAEVKFEGDTLVNRIELKGIDFKEDGNILGHKLEYNYNSHNVYIMADKQKNGIKVNFKIRHNIEDGSVQLADHYQQNTPIGDGPVLLPDNHYLSTQSALSKDPNEKRDHMVLLEFVTAAGITHGMDELYK SEQ ID No 21MFKGIVEGIGIIEKIDIYTDLDKYAIRFPENMLNGIKKESSIMFNGCFLTVTSVNSNIVWFDIFEKEARKLDTFREYKVGDRVNLGTFPKFGAASGGHILSARISCVASIIEIIENEDYQQMWIQIPENFTEFLIDKDYIAVDGISLTIDTIKNNQFFISLPLKIAQNTNMKWRKKGDKVNVELSNKINANQCW SEQ ID No 22MESDESGLPAMEIECRITGTLNGVEFELVGGGEGTPEQGRMTNKMKSTKGALTFSPYLLSHVMGYGFYHFGTYPSGYENPFLHAINNGGYTNTRIEKYEDGGVLHVSFSYRYEAGRVIGDFKVMGTGFPEDSVIFTDKIIRSNATVEHLHPMGDNDLDGSFTRTFSLRDGGYYSSVVDSHMHFKSAIHPSILQNGGPMFAFRRVEEDHSNTELGIVEYQHAFKTPDADAGEESEQ ID No 23MVSKGEELIKENMHMKLYMEGTVNNHHFKCTSEGEGKPYEGTQTMRIKVVEGGPLPFAFDILATSFMYGSRTFINHTQGIPDFFKQSFPEGFTWERVTTYEDGGVLTATQDTSLQDGCLIYNVKIRGVNFPSNGPVMQKKTLGWEANTEMLYPADGGLEGRSDMALKLVGGGHLICNFKTTYRSKKPAKNLKMPGVYYVDHRLERIKEADKETYVEQHEVAVARYCDLPSKLGHKLN SEQ ID No 24MVGEDSELITENMHMKLYMEGTVNNHHFKCTSEGEGKPYEGTQTMKIKVVEGGPLPFAFDILATSFMYGSKAFINHTQGIPDFFKQSFPEGFTWERITTYEDGGVLTATQDTSLQNGCLIYNVKINGVNFPSNGPVMQKKTLGWEASTEMLYPADSGLRGHGQMALKLVGGGYLHCSLKTTYRSKKPAKNLKMPGFHFVDHRLERIKEADKETYVEQHEMAVAKYCDLPSKLGHS SEQ ID No 25MSGGEELFAGIVPVLIELDGDVHGHKFSVRGEGEGDADYGKLEIKFICTTGKLPVPWPTLVTTLCYGIQCFARYPEHMKMNDFFKSAMPEGYIQERTIQFQDDGKYKTRGEVKFEGDTLVNRIELKGKDFKEDGNILGHKLEYSFNSHNVYIRPDKANNGLEANFKTRHNIEGGGVQLADHYQTNVPLGDGPVLIPINHYLSTQTKISKDRNEARDHMVLLESFSACCHTHGMDELYR

The invention claimed is:
 1. A fluorescent fusion polypeptide, whereinsaid fluorescent fusion polypeptide is capable of changing itslocalization within a cell from cytoplasmic membrane to a retentionvesicle upon an increase in the concentration of a second messenger inthe cytoplasm of the cell, and comprises, from N- to C-terminus, amembrane localization peptide, a fluorescent peptide, a second messengertransduction protein binding peptide, and a reticulum retention signalpeptide; wherein the second messenger is diacylglycerol; wherein themembrane localization peptide is a human IL-2R comprising the amino acidsequence of SEQ ID NO: 17; and wherein the second messenger transductionprotein binding peptide binds to PKCδ and comprises the amino acidsequence of SEQ ID NO:
 19. 2. The fluorescent fusion polypeptide ofclaim 1, wherein the reticulum retention signal peptide is selected fromthe group consisting of KDEL, HDEL, KKXX, KXKXX and RXR, wherein X isany amino acid.
 3. The fluorescent fusion polypeptide of claim 1,wherein the reticulum retention signal peptide is KDEL.
 4. Thefluorescent fusion polypeptide of claim 1, wherein the fluorescentpeptide is selected from the group consisting of GFP, YFP, turboGFP,tRFP and tRFP602.
 5. The fluorescent fusion polypeptide of claim 1,wherein the fluorescent peptide is selected from the group consisting ofGFP, YFP, turboGFP, tRFP and tRFP602; and the reticulum retention signalpeptide is KDEL.
 6. The fluorescent fusion polypeptide of claim 1,wherein said polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:18.
 7. A nucleic acid molecule comprising a polynucleotide sequencecoding for the fluorescent fusion polypeptide of claim
 1. 8. An isolatedcell comprising the fluorescent fusion polypeptide of claim 1.